Grizzly Bear and Wildlife Viewing Blog: Monthly Archives: July 2016

Dall’s Porpoise are Playfull

dall's porpoise

These small chunky cetaceans have black and white markings that give them the appearance of a mini Killer Whale / Orca. There have been reports by people mistaking Dall’s porpoises for baby Orca, but the lack of white eye patches and a much smaller dorsal fin is definitely a Dall’s.

dall's porpoise

Dall’s Porpoise travel in small groups of two to eight animals rarely in larger groups of around twenty-five. They zip about quickly in random back and forth patterns looking for food. As they speed through the water, they throw a rooster tail type of splash. This is quite distinctive as they shoot along just below the surface of the ocean. They are known to travel at around 30 knots (56 kph or 35 mph). With all this speed it can be a challenge getting good photos. For this reason we often stop and they will make passes by the boat and sometimes we get lucky. They are very playful and are at times known to harass humpback whales see tomorrows post…..

 

August “Fatter” Grizzly

grizzly search for salmon

This photo is late August and unlike the grizzly in yesterday’s post this grizzly bear has had the advantage of ripe berries for several months and possibly a few salmon which will now be in the river. This bear is no where near hibernation weight and will increase by another third before heading to the high country for the winter.

One of the First “Lean” Grizzlies

lean grizzly looking for food

This was late May several years ago on one of the first trips of the year. When the grizzly bears first appear on the beach, out of hibernation, they are lean. Berries will not be ripe until late June, the sedge grass the bear is walking through is pretty sparse so nourishment comes from rolling rocks on the beach. This “beach food” is important because bears will continue to loose weight until well into late June.

Killer Whales Passing

killer whales in Johnston Strait

Again a nice view of whales or killer whales which are dolphins. Note the photo is clear of other boats which does make it more natural and attractive. Like us on a day on the water the orca are in no hurry just moving slowly down Blackfish Sound. Blackfish being another name use by the locals for killer whales. Killer whale is a “tourist” name as it is much more exciting than orca or blackfish.

Boat Approaching Whale Closer

perfect whale watching day

In the distance one can see the bow wake of a boat coming our way. I mention this because it shows that on many whale watching days we are in a very large area with little competition. There are not many boats in your photos. Few boats but a variety of whales as tomorrows post will show…

Calm waters and whales

scenery coastal British Columbia

Beautiful scenery marred by a humpback whale in the distance. A perfect day for whale watching calm enough to get good photos but not so much sun that is is impossible to get the photos. I comment about the whale in the distance because if you have read much of our posting you will know that the norm is much closer and this posting was about the scenery.

Fall Grizzly Bear

grizzlies salmon fishing

After August 24th we move our grizzly bear viewing to the stands which over look the salmon in the river as they wait to enter the man-made spawning channel. This grizzly is directly below the platform and about to enter the holding pool full of salmon.

Early Grizzly Bear

grizzly bears beach forage

It is Knight Inlet’s Glendale Cove and it is early June. All the lodge’s grizzly bear viewing prior to August 25th (when we are permitted to use the viewing stands on the river) occurs along the shore. On this morning the grizzly viewed is at the edge of the water on a very low tide. As the tide rises the bears work their way up the beach to the sedge grass and then berry patches as the beach disappears. This makes for great viewing of the bears in their natural habitat and doing what bears do – forage.